Quartz & Cristobalite

Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica. In fact, it is the second most common surface material, and accounts for almost 12 percent by volume of the earth's crust. Quartz is found in many materials in the construction industry, such as brick and mortar, concrete, slate, granite, sandstone, stone aggregate, tile, and sand used for blasting. Other construction materials that contain crystalline silica are asphalt filler, roofing granules, plastic composites, soils, wallboard joint compounds, paint, plaster, caulking and putty. Quartz is everywhere!

Cristobalite, which is a less common form of crystalline silica, is formed at high temperatures (greater than 1,470°C, or 2678°F) that occur in nature, such as in volcanos; and in industrial processes. The ceramic and brick lining of boilers and vessels, some ceramic tiles, and volcanic ash contain cristobalite.

To learn more about Construction Silica visit our Construction Silica Safety Online Training web page.